Appeals Against Permanent Exclusion

The purpose of the appeal (which is called the Governors Disciplinary Committee or GDC) is to consider whether the exclusion is appropriate and whether the pupil should be reinstated.

If you decide to appeal, you will have the opportunity to present your case to the appeals panel in writing and/or in person. You may bring a friend.

Your child is also allowed to attend the GDC to tell his or her side of the story; this can be presented in writing and/or in person. A Panel is made up of three governors who should not have had any dealings with your child previously and therefore be independent.

The school's case for a permanent exclusion will usually be presented by the headteacher. The Appeals Panel will hear both sides and can ask questions. You can also ask questions.

The Panel's duty is to consider the headteacher's decision to permanently exclude. The Panel will either uphold the headteacher’s decision to exclude your child permanently or direct the school to re-instate your child, if it is practicable to do so.

If the Panel decide it is not practicable to re-instate but disagree with the decision to exclude, the Panel can state this. If you are not happy with the outcome of the GDC panel decision you have to option to ask for the case to be heard at an Independent Review Panel.